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should send his squires, who were nearly men, a child's sweetmeat. Clearly, she knew what would give them pleasure. |
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Ian shifted again. She knew what would give him pleasure also. Few and brief, but very kind words ended that letter. "Have a care to yourself, my lord, and write to me often. Joanna and Adam beg news of you ten times a day, and, as for me, I wish I had it as many times as that and more." Perhaps when this keep had fallen, he would ride back to Roselynde for a day or two. Sir Robert could be left to reorganize the defenses and see to the repair of whatever damage had been done. Perhaps their long separation, while she had been on progress and he had been gathering these men and examining the keeps for the best way to breach their defenses, had softened whatever core of anger she still nursed against him. |
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It would not do to think too much of that. Once before he had hoped and been cruelly disappointed. Ian listened to the sounds of the camp. Men were astir, but he had no desire to give any sign of nervousness or distrust by being too early abroad. He had given his orders and designed the attack the previous night. To meddle now would be a mistake. All should be ready, or near ready, before he came to oversee the results. The sky was lighter now, and pink. Ian turned his head on his arm. |
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"Go and get me some breakfast, Geoffrey, and kick that lazy slugabed awake." |
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"Lazy slugabed" woke other memories. The king had fallen into a lethargy again a few weeks after that dreadful storm in February. No one had really been surprised, for John had showed himself at his very best immediately after the storm struck. He had ridden madly all over the kingdom, directing rescue work, controlling the lawlessness that any disaster brought in its wake, and bringing aid and comfort to the deprived and bereft. It was only normal to rest after such exertions. Although |
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